Structural building frame incorporating utilities

ABSTRACT

A structural building frame in which vertical columns incorporate utilities and provide access to the utilities at each level. The frame is formed of modular components including vertical column sections incorporating utilities. The column sections may also include integral outwardly extending beams for connection with beams of an adjacent column or to interconnecting cross modules. The assembled modular components provide a frame for supporting the floors and walls of a building structure or environmental space modules.

ilnited States Patent 1 Rump [ Aug.7, 1973 STRUCTURAL BUILDING FRAMEINCORPORATING UTILITIES [76] Inventor: Ernest J. Kump, 360 Everett Ave,

Palo Alto, Calif. 94301 [22] Filed: May 13, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 143,131

[52] US. Cl 137/356, 4/211, 52/648 [51] int. Cl E04h 12/00 [58] Field ofSearch 52/220, 221, 648,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Tindal 137/357 PrimaryExaminerHenry T. Klinksiek Attorney-Flehr, Hohbach, Test, Albritton &Herbert [57] ABSTRACT A structural building frame in which verticalcolumns incorporate utilities and provide access to the utilities ateach level. The frame is formed of modular components including verticalcolumn sections incorporating utilities. The column sections may alsoinclude integral outwardly extending beams for connection with beams ofan adjacent column or to interconnecting cross modules. The assembledmodular components provide a frame for supporting the floors and wallsof a building structure or environmental space modules.

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BY Z44, W 72, with 2M ATTORNEYS STRUCTURAL BUILDING FRAME INCORPORATINGUTILITIES CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS In copending patentapplication Ser. No. 60,520, filed Aug. 3, 1970, entitled BUILDINGSYSTEM AND COMPONENTS THEREFOR, a building system including structuralframe components including column sections having vertical clusters ofsupport members held by horizontal members which also serve to supportvertical service pipes and conduits is described. Integral beamscantilever outwardly from the column sections and are adapted to beconnected to beams of adjacent column sections or to cross beam moduleswhich interconnect adjacent column sections.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to astructural building frame which may be erected at the site and moreparticularly to a modular building frame in which utilities areincorporated within the vertical columns and made available at eachlevel.

In a normal building system, the structural frame is erected at the siteand thereafter the necessary utilities are installed to supply utilitiesto the various levels of the building. In multi-story buildings, theutilities are generally installed along the vertical columns andthereafter boxed in or otherwise incorporated within the structure.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a general object of thepresent invention to provide a structural frame incorporating utilitieswhich may be fabricated and assembled at a factory and rapidly erectedat the site by joining together structural frame modules.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a modularstructural building frame incorporating utilities which may be readilyerected at the site and provide utilities at various levels of thestructure.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention are achieved by amodular structural frame comprising column modules having a plurality ofsupport members such as tubes with a web secured between adjacentsupport members to provide a hollow column, said webs also serving toprovide lateral stifiening and vertical support. The hollow columnincorporates utilities running along the column and a distribution meansat each level for making the utilities available for connection toadjacent rooms or environmental space modules of the type described insaid copending application at each floor. The modular vertical columnsections may include integral outwardly extending beams adapted to beinterconnected with beams of adjacent columns or to interconnectingcross modules by means of connectors.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention will be more clearlyunderstood from the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of astructural frame in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the column module of FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a column module with outwardly extendingcantilevered beams.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 2 showing theutlility and distribution manifold at each level.

FIG. 5 an an enlarged view taken along the line 55 of FIG. 3 showing aplan view of the utility and the distribution manifold at each level.

FIG. 6 isan enlarged view of the ends of a modular column showing theinterconnection between column sections.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a male electrical connector for connectingvertical electrical sections taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the female connector for the electricalsystem taken along the line 88 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view taken generally along the line 99 of FIG. 4and showing a water outlet.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view taken along the line 10-10 of FIG. 4 showingthe soil pipe outlet.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view showing the electrical and telephone outletsat each level of the structure.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the vent connection to the concentricsoil pipe.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The structural frame comprises aplurality of spaced vertical columns 11 interconnected with horizontalbeams 12. The columns ll comprise a cluster of four vertical structuraltubes 13, FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, which are interconnected by web plates14. The web plates provide stiffening to resist lateral forces whennecessary as well as provide additional support for vertical loads. Theplates 14 at the base of a column may be thicker than the plates 14 nearthe top of the column thereby to support the overlying load. The base ofthe columns are mounted on suitable foundation members as schematicallyillustrated by the foundation members 15. As a result, the structuraltubes 13 may be of uniform size throughout the length of the columnwhile the thickness of the webs can be increased near the bottom tosupport additional structural load.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, thecolumn is modular, that is, the column is made up of a plurality ofsections such as the section 16, FIG. 2, which sections are joined toone another at the site by interconnecting means to form the column fora multi-level building structure. It is apparent that the columns may befabricated and assembled at a factory and then transported to the sitewhere they are connected to other column modules.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, there are providedhorizontal outwardly extending beams 17 integral with each of thevertical column sections 16. The beams 17 can be connected directly tothe outwardly extending beam of an adjacent column. The connecting meansmay comprise plates 19 secured to the end of the beams, as by welding,and a connector of space modules of the type described in said copendingapplication or other capsulated space or to support conventional floorsand walls.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 4 and 5, the space in the interiorof the column defined by the webs l4 and vertical members 13 whichaccommodates the utilities is shown more clearly. A soil pipe 2llextends centrally of the column. A second pipe 22 concentricallysurrounds the soil pipe. The annular space between the two pipes servesas the vent which extends vertically through the structure. At each ofthe levels, the soil pipe includes a plurality of upwardly and outwardlyextending members 23, four in the present instance, one on each side ofthe column. These extensions extend through and may be held by plates14. They are adapted to be interconnected to associated soil pipes inthe plumbing of the corresponding level. For this purpose, connectionsof the type shown in FIG. may be employed, that is, a connection whichserves to grip the soil pipe section 23 and the cooperating soil pipe 26and to hold the same together. For example, the connection may comprisea sleeve 27 with clamping means 28 and 29 at each end thereof andserving to secure the sleeve to the adjacent pipe section to provide acompetent seal between the same. In the event that soil pipes are notassociated with the four corners of the column, the unused soil pipe maybe appropriately plugged. It is apparent that other rigid or flexibleconnections may be used.

The concentric vent pipe is flared outwardly and surrounds extensions23. It is provided with vent connec tions 31 which extend downwardly andare adpated to receive the vents 32 of the next lower level. FIG. 12shows a typical connection for the vent pipes. The connection includes asleeve 30, spaced clamps 33 and 34 which are adapted to be tightened toclamp the sleeve to the adjacent vent pipe sections.

Water pipe 36 extends vertically within the column and is connected todistribution pipe 38 which extendsaround the column adjacent the web 14.This provides a manifold which services outlet 41.

Electrical conduits 43 and 44 extend vertically of the column andprovide a source of electrical power to the manifold 45 which extendsaround the periphery of the inside of the column and is connected tooutlets 46. Telephone and television cables 47 extend vertically and areconnected to a manifold 48 and telephone and television outlets 49.Typical electrical interconnections for a three wire system are shown inFIG. 11 wherein there is provided a connection between the wires in thedistribution manifold and associated-equipment. Typical telephoneconnections are shown at the lower part of the figure at 47. The pipesand conduits are held in the columnar space within the structural tubesby means of spaced horizontal plates 51. disposed at the ends and at thecenter of the module. The space within the column may be filled withsuitable insulation. In certain building frames the column modules maynot house or contain any utilities but may merely comprise verticaltubes 13 and interconnecting webs 14.

It is, of course, to be understood that the various in terconnectionsbetween the utilities within the column and the associated equipment maybe of types other than those illustrated.

As previously described, the column sections may be fabricatedpre-assembled at a factory with all utility pipe conduits and the likedisposed within the column. The complete assembly can then betransported to a site and the column sections connected to one another.For this purpose, interconnections of the vertical components areprovided. Referring particularly to F iG. 6, the interconnectionsbetween the vertical structural tubes B3 are provided by means ofinserts 50 which serve to engage and align the adjacent sections.Thereafter, the tubular sections may be welded, bolted or otherwisesecured to one another. The electrical connections may be made by meansof sleeves and connectors such as shown at 7-7 and 88, and FIGS. 7 and8, for the vertical electrical assemblies and such as shown by thecouplings 52 for the soil and vent pipes. After assembly, the soil pipemay also be suitably sealed as by welding.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention, the vertical columnsections are fabricated and assembled at a factory, transported to thesite and erected. The horizontal beams are interconnected to form aframework which can then receive conventional floors, walls and thelike, or which may receive environmental space modules of the typedescribed in my said copending application or other types.

The horizontal beam sections 12 are preferably attached to the verticalmembers by welding to cantilever outwardly from the column to span fromone column to the next or to a cross beam module..The beams define asupporting grid adapted to support floors and the like. The action ofthe cantilever branch beams associated with column sections and modularcross beams is to form a three-hinged arch support making it possible toerect a framework without the necessity of staging.

Thus, there has been provided an environmental structural space framewith modular columns and cross beam modules which can be prefabricatedand assembled at a factory, transported and easily erected and connectedat the site to provide the structural framework for multi-story,multilateral building structures. Furthermore, selected columns presentthe necessary utilities, power, water and sewage disposal at each level.

I claim:

1. A column for use in a structural building frame comprising aplurality of spaced tubular members disposed to define therebetween avertical columnar space with the members at the corners of the space,said tubular members providing the vertical support of said buildingframe, utilities extending vertically within said columnar spaceadjacent said tubular members, and means spaced along and supported bysaid tubular members providing connection to said utilities at eachbuilding level.

'2. A column as in claim 1 wherein said means providing for connectionto said utilities comprise a manifold connected to selected utilities atsaid levels, and means cooperating with said manifold at spaced pointsaround the column.

3. A column as in claim 1 including a web secured between adjacenttubular members to enclose said vertical columnar space and provideadditional lateral and vertical support for said building frame.

4. A column for use in a structural building frame comprising aplurality of tubular members defining a vertical columnar space,utilities extending vertically within said column space, said utilitiesincluding a soil pipe extending centrally along said space, a secondpipe surrounding said soil pipe to form an annular space serving as avent, and means spaced along said column providing for connection tosaid utilities at each level.

5. A column as in claim 4 wherein said means for connection to said soilpipe comprises outwardly and upwardly extending branch pipes.

6. A column module for use in a multilevel structural frame comprisingfour spaced tubular members of predetermined length disposed to define acolumnar space with the members at the corners of said space, saidtubular members providing the vertical support of said building frame,utility means in said columnar space, means supported by said tubularmembers along said column module for connection to said utility means,and means at each end ofsaid tubular members for connection to thetubular members of a vertically adjacent column module and means at theends of said utility means for connection to the utility means of avertically adjacent column module.

7. A column module as in claim 6 wherein said means providing forconnection to said utilities comprise a manifold connected to selectedutilities at said locations, and means cooperating with said manifold atspaced points around the column.

8. A column module as in claim 6 including a web secured betweenadjacent tubular members enclose said vertical columnar space andprovide additional lateral and vertical support for said building frame.

9. A column module for use in a structural frame comprising a pluralityof tubular members of predetermined length, defining a columnar space,utility means in said columnar space, said utility means including asoil pipe extending centrally along said space, a second pipesurrounding said soil pipe to form an annular space serving as a vent,means spaced along said column module for connection to said utilities,and means at each end of said columnar module for connecting the tubularmembers to members of a vertical adjacent column module and saidutilities to the utilities of a vertical adjacent column module.

10. A column module as in claim 9 wherein said means for connection tosaid soil pipe comprises outwardly and upwardly extending branch pipes.

11. A column module for use in a structural frame comprising a pluralityof tubular members of predetermined length defining a columnar space, aplurality of outwardly extending beam sections secured to said tubularmembers, utility means in said columnar space, means spaced along saidcolumn module for connection to said utilities, and means at each end ofsaid columnar module for connecting the tubular members to members of avertical adjacent column module and said utilities to the utilities of avertical adjacent column module.

12. A multi-lateral structural frame comprising a plurality of spacedcolumns, each of said columns comprising a plurality of tubular membersdefining a vertical columnar space, utilities extending verticallywithin said column space, and means spaced along said column providingfor connection to said utilities at each level, and horizontal beamsconnected to said columns and extending between said columns at eachfloor.

13. A structural frame as in claim 12 wherein said columns are formedfrom a plurality of column modules vertically joined to one another.

14. A structural frame as in claim 13 wherein said column modulesinclude outwardly extending beam sections.

15. A structural frame as in claim 14 including cross beam modulesinterconnecting the ends of adjacent beam sections.

1. A column for use in a structural building frame comprising aplurality of spaced tubular members disposed to define therebetween avertical columnar space with the members at the corners of the space,said tubular members providing the vertical support of said buildingframe, utilities extending vertically within said columnar spaceadjacent said tubular members, and means spaced along and supported bysaid tubular members providing connection to said utilities at eachbuilding level.
 2. A column as in claim 1 wherein said means providingfor connection to said utilities comprise a manifold connected toselected utilities at said levels, and means cooperating with saidmanifold at spaced points around the column.
 3. A column as in claim 1including a web secured between adjacent tubular members to enclose saidvertical columnar space and provide additional lateral and verticalsupport for said building frame.
 4. A column for use in a structuralbuilding frame comprising a plurality of tubular members defining avertical columnar space, utilities extending vertically within saidcolumn space, said utilities including a soil pipe extending centrallyalong said space, a second pipe surrounding said soil pipe to form anannular space serving as a vent, and means spaced along said columnproviding for connection to said utilities at each level.
 5. A column asin claim 4 wherein said means for connection to said soil pipe comprisesoutwardly and upwardly extending branch pipes.
 6. A column module foruse in a multilevel structural frame comprising four spaced tubularmembers of predetermined length disposed to define a columnar space withthe members at the corners of said space, said tubular members providingthe vertical support of said building frame, utility means in saidcolumnar space, means supported by said tubular members along saidcolumn module for connection to said utility means, and means at eachend of said tubular members for connection to the tubular members of avertically adjacent column module and means at the ends of said utilitymeans for connection to the utility means of a vertically adjacentcolumn module.
 7. A column module as in claim 6 wherein said meansproviding for connection to said utilities comprise a manifold connectedto selected utilities at said locations, and means cooperating with saidmanifold at spaced points around the column.
 8. A column module as inclaim 6 including a web secured between adjacent tubular members enclosesaid vertical columnar space and provide additional lateral and verticalsupport for said building frame.
 9. A column module for use in astructural frame comprising a plurality of tubular members ofpredetermined length, defining a columnar space, utility means in saidcolumnar space, said utility means including a soil pipe extendingcentrally along said space, a second pipe surrounding said soil pipe toform an annular space serving as a vent, means spaced along said columnmodule for connection to said utilities, and means at each end of saidcolumnar module for connecting the tubular members to members of avertical adjacent column module and said utilities to the utilities of avertical adjacent column module.
 10. A column module as in claim 9wherein said means for connection to said soil pipe comPrises outwardlyand upwardly extending branch pipes.
 11. A column module for use in astructural frame comprising a plurality of tubular members ofpredetermined length defining a columnar space, a plurality of outwardlyextending beam sections secured to said tubular members, utility meansin said columnar space, means spaced along said column module forconnection to said utilities, and means at each end of said columnarmodule for connecting the tubular members to members of a verticaladjacent column module and said utilities to the utilities of a verticaladjacent column module.
 12. A multi-lateral structural frame comprisinga plurality of spaced columns, each of said columns comprising aplurality of tubular members defining a vertical columnar space,utilities extending vertically within said column space, and meansspaced along said column providing for connection to said utilities ateach level, and horizontal beams connected to said columns and extendingbetween said columns at each floor.
 13. A structural frame as in claim12 wherein said columns are formed from a plurality of column modulesvertically joined to one another.
 14. A structural frame as in claim 13wherein said column modules include outwardly extending beam sections.15. A structural frame as in claim 14 including cross beam modulesinterconnecting the ends of adjacent beam sections.